Porter-Griffin family papers
Collection
Identifier: L535
Scope and Contents
This is a collection of 46 manuscript boxes, 1 clamshell box, 118 ledgers, and 3 oversized folders, arranged in 8 series. The collection consists of papers of William A. Porter and his heirs from 1813 to 1979, as well papers from the Griffin and McGrain Company. Materials include personal correspondence, business and legal correspondence, political publications and letters, business ledgers, school and local entertainment programs, programs form various churches and their activities in Corydon and New Albany, Indiana, information about the Porter-Griffin home, and Indiana historical events.
The series are William A. Porter papers 1813-1883, Porter Family papers 1845-1940, Griffin Family papers 1845-1973, Daniel Patrick Griffin papers 1897-1975, Rupp, Bickel, and Moesser Family papers 1841-1929. Harrison County Historical Material 1893-1979, Business papers 1865-1947, and Griffin and McGrain company papers 1831-1916.
The collection includes papers of the Rupp, Moesser and Bickel families, connected to the Griffins by marriage. The Bickels were a German family and their correspondence includes letters written in German.
The Griffins were involved with several churches in Corydon, the Harrison County School System, and celebrations for Indiana's Centennial and Sesquicentennial. There are many papers concerning historical information of Corydon and Harrison County.
The collection includes business papers and ledgers of the businesses in which the family had an interest, in particular the Griffin and McGrain Company. There is a history "50 Years with the Maurice Griffin Company" written in 1947. Other related business collections held by the Indiana State Library include the Maurice Griffin and Co. Collection.
Series Descriptions:
Series 1: William A. Porter Papers
This series includes 9 manuscript boxes of correspondence and legal papers from 1813 to 1883. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder, Mr. Porter's personal papers followed by his legal practice. This series includes school papers by William A. Porter from Miami University, Oxford Ohio, and an invitation to join Alumni of Miami U. There are programs from various organizations to which Mr. Porter belonged during and after his college years. The are programs from other colleges as well, Indiana Asbury University, Washington College, and Student Lecture Broadsides.
Porter came to Indiana to be the head of the Harrison County Seminary. In addition to letters from family and friends, William Porter's personal correspondence includes letters from and the Hughes family regarding the purchase of the house in Corydon, and a request by the citizens of Corydon for Porter to survey the town. There are legal papers and correspondence, receipts, and account registers for the Harrison County Sawmill, and the Corydon Artisan Well Company. Porter belonged to the Masonic Lodge, Pisgah Number 32 and the Harrison County Agricultural Society. The series includes legal documents, insurance policies, and pamphlets from these organizations.
William Porter was a State Representative and a State Senator. This collection includes political correspondence from members of the Whig Party, speeches, and committee reports, and Governor Nobles' Inaugural address of 1830. There are also lists of Indiana legislators. National political papers include printed addresses about General Jackson's run for the Presidency, an address by General Harrison's in 1828, a proclamation by President Andrew Jackson, and speeches by Indiana Senators, Smith and White.
William Porter was a lawyer and judge. His legal correspondence includes pension requests for soldiers from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. His practice was primarily debt collections, wills and settling estates.
Series 2: Porter family papers
This series is 3 manuscript boxes of correspondence and school papers of the Porter family daughters from 1845 to 1940. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder, in order of birth of the daughters. The Porter family papers include correspondence of Mrs. Elizabeth Porter, Sarah Elizabeth, Anne Dunlap, Viola, Mary Jane, Aurelia, Attia, and Helen Porter. These papers include school compositions and correspondence. Mary Jane Porter attended St, Mary's Seminary in Indianapolis, Aurelia attended Oxford Female College in Oxford, Ohio, Attia attended Glendale Female College, in Glendale Ohio, and Helen attended McClean's Female Seminary in Indianapolis. Their correspondence includes many letters from their father William Porter. There is also 1 oversized folder from Helen Porter’s folder of farm accounts which contains a hand-drawn map of a farm.
Sarah Elizabeth died in 1856, Anne in 1854, and Viola in 1858. Mary Jane became a schoolteacher and died in1859. Attia married William McKnight and Aurelia married Amzi Brewster on 17 March 1868. Her papers include correspondence after her marriage and letters to her husband. Helen Porter married Patrick Griffin in 1871. Her papers include correspondence for her seven children. There is a copy of a diary page about her sister Viola Porter's death in 1858.
The Porter sisters received many letters from cousins and friends serving the Union Army during the Civil War. The young women of Corydon formed a club in 1861 called the Scott Gayes. Their purpose was to defend Corydon if the Rebel forces attacked.
Series 3: Griffin family personal papers
This series includes 11 manuscript boxes of correspondence, legal papers, and community activities in which Griffin family member played an active role. The papers date from 1845 to 1973. This series begins with Daniel F. Griffin, followed by Patrick Griffin then the children of Helen Porter Griffin and Daniel Griffin in the order of their birth. The end of the series includes cousins and grandchildren. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder. Daniel F. Griffin served in the Civil War with the 38th Indiana Volunteers, rising to the command as Brigadier General. He was the brother of Maurice and Patrick Griffin. Maurice and Patrick went to California during the Gold Rush and ran a trading post. Patrick returned to Corydon in 1857, the papers include his diary of his return trip around the Horn of South America. Patrick Griffin was a businessman and involved in many Corydon activities. He was a member of the Pisgah Masonic Lodge and was in charge of the letter writing campaign to soldiers during World War I.
Helen Porter Griffin and Patrick Griffin had seven children, Margaret, William Maurice, Mary Jane, Olive, Annis, Helen, and Daniel Patrick. Margaret, Mary Jane, and Olive never married. William Maurice married Charlotte Rupp. Helen Elizabeth married Mark B. O'Leary from Chicago. Helen Griffin O'Leary was made a member of Daughters of the American Revolution. There is a family tree in the DAR folder.
Series 4: Daniel Patrick Griffin papers
This series includes 4 manuscript boxes of correspondence and school papers from 1897-1975. The material is arranged chronologically. Daniel Patrick attended Purdue University School of Pharmacy beginning in 1903. He became president of the Griffin Company in 1912. His papers include a 1903 map of Purdue, dance club programs and letters concerning the train wreck in 1903 in which thirteen Purdue students were killed. He was a member of the Corydon Presbyterian Church for over 75 years.
Daniel Griffin was a member of the Chemical Warfare Service during World War II, the Redpath Chautauqua, the Masonic Lodge, and the Corydon Music and Drama Club. Daniel Griffin actively participated in the Corydon Bicentennial and Sesquicentennial celebrations.
Series 5: Rupp, Moesser and Bickel family papers
This series includes 1 and one half manuscript boxes of correspondence, business, and legal papers from 1841 to 1925. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder. The Moesser and Bickel families follow the papers of the Rupp family. William A. Porter handled legal business for the John and Henry Rupp. They were related to the Bickel and Moesser families. William Maurice Griffin married Charlotte Rupp. The Bickels were a German family and their correspondence is written in German.
Series 6: Harrison County Historical Material
This series includes Indiana Centennial and Sesquicentennial celebrations, Newsletters of the Indiana Historical Commission, information on Harrison County historical sites, and miscellaneous history of Corydon. There is information about Cedar Hills Cemetery in which many members of the Porter-Griffin family is buried. The series includes the correspondence involving the Porter-Griffin home as a state historical site.
Series 7: Griffin family business papers
Subseries 7.1: Miscellaneous Griffin family business papers
Includes papers from various businesses in which the family had an interest, ApplegateMcGrain, Wright-Griffin-McGrain, Wright- Stockslager-Griffin and Griffin Company. There is a history "50 Years With the Maurice Griffin & Company" written in 1947 by Mary Jane Griffin.
Subseries 7.2: Griffin and McGrain records
This series includes 15 manuscript boxes, 1 clamshell box, 118 volumes, and 1 oversized folder of invoices, receipts, and checks for companies around the United States that did business with the Griffin and McGrain company. The collection also contains personal papers of McGrain.
Series 8: Oversize materials
Includes 1 oversize folder containing a phrenology chart (1839); a hand-drawn farm map from Helen Porter Griffin's farm accoutns (circa 1884-1895); and 4 millinery catalog pages (circa 1870-1890), an 1879 J. H. Lee and Sons order form, and 2 large ledger pages (circa 1889) (OBC0094).
Series 9: Volumes
Comprises 118 account books, ledgers, daybooks and other miscellaneous volumes.
The series are William A. Porter papers 1813-1883, Porter Family papers 1845-1940, Griffin Family papers 1845-1973, Daniel Patrick Griffin papers 1897-1975, Rupp, Bickel, and Moesser Family papers 1841-1929. Harrison County Historical Material 1893-1979, Business papers 1865-1947, and Griffin and McGrain company papers 1831-1916.
The collection includes papers of the Rupp, Moesser and Bickel families, connected to the Griffins by marriage. The Bickels were a German family and their correspondence includes letters written in German.
The Griffins were involved with several churches in Corydon, the Harrison County School System, and celebrations for Indiana's Centennial and Sesquicentennial. There are many papers concerning historical information of Corydon and Harrison County.
The collection includes business papers and ledgers of the businesses in which the family had an interest, in particular the Griffin and McGrain Company. There is a history "50 Years with the Maurice Griffin Company" written in 1947. Other related business collections held by the Indiana State Library include the Maurice Griffin and Co. Collection.
Series Descriptions:
Series 1: William A. Porter Papers
This series includes 9 manuscript boxes of correspondence and legal papers from 1813 to 1883. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder, Mr. Porter's personal papers followed by his legal practice. This series includes school papers by William A. Porter from Miami University, Oxford Ohio, and an invitation to join Alumni of Miami U. There are programs from various organizations to which Mr. Porter belonged during and after his college years. The are programs from other colleges as well, Indiana Asbury University, Washington College, and Student Lecture Broadsides.
Porter came to Indiana to be the head of the Harrison County Seminary. In addition to letters from family and friends, William Porter's personal correspondence includes letters from and the Hughes family regarding the purchase of the house in Corydon, and a request by the citizens of Corydon for Porter to survey the town. There are legal papers and correspondence, receipts, and account registers for the Harrison County Sawmill, and the Corydon Artisan Well Company. Porter belonged to the Masonic Lodge, Pisgah Number 32 and the Harrison County Agricultural Society. The series includes legal documents, insurance policies, and pamphlets from these organizations.
William Porter was a State Representative and a State Senator. This collection includes political correspondence from members of the Whig Party, speeches, and committee reports, and Governor Nobles' Inaugural address of 1830. There are also lists of Indiana legislators. National political papers include printed addresses about General Jackson's run for the Presidency, an address by General Harrison's in 1828, a proclamation by President Andrew Jackson, and speeches by Indiana Senators, Smith and White.
William Porter was a lawyer and judge. His legal correspondence includes pension requests for soldiers from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. His practice was primarily debt collections, wills and settling estates.
Series 2: Porter family papers
This series is 3 manuscript boxes of correspondence and school papers of the Porter family daughters from 1845 to 1940. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder, in order of birth of the daughters. The Porter family papers include correspondence of Mrs. Elizabeth Porter, Sarah Elizabeth, Anne Dunlap, Viola, Mary Jane, Aurelia, Attia, and Helen Porter. These papers include school compositions and correspondence. Mary Jane Porter attended St, Mary's Seminary in Indianapolis, Aurelia attended Oxford Female College in Oxford, Ohio, Attia attended Glendale Female College, in Glendale Ohio, and Helen attended McClean's Female Seminary in Indianapolis. Their correspondence includes many letters from their father William Porter. There is also 1 oversized folder from Helen Porter’s folder of farm accounts which contains a hand-drawn map of a farm.
Sarah Elizabeth died in 1856, Anne in 1854, and Viola in 1858. Mary Jane became a schoolteacher and died in1859. Attia married William McKnight and Aurelia married Amzi Brewster on 17 March 1868. Her papers include correspondence after her marriage and letters to her husband. Helen Porter married Patrick Griffin in 1871. Her papers include correspondence for her seven children. There is a copy of a diary page about her sister Viola Porter's death in 1858.
The Porter sisters received many letters from cousins and friends serving the Union Army during the Civil War. The young women of Corydon formed a club in 1861 called the Scott Gayes. Their purpose was to defend Corydon if the Rebel forces attacked.
Series 3: Griffin family personal papers
This series includes 11 manuscript boxes of correspondence, legal papers, and community activities in which Griffin family member played an active role. The papers date from 1845 to 1973. This series begins with Daniel F. Griffin, followed by Patrick Griffin then the children of Helen Porter Griffin and Daniel Griffin in the order of their birth. The end of the series includes cousins and grandchildren. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder. Daniel F. Griffin served in the Civil War with the 38th Indiana Volunteers, rising to the command as Brigadier General. He was the brother of Maurice and Patrick Griffin. Maurice and Patrick went to California during the Gold Rush and ran a trading post. Patrick returned to Corydon in 1857, the papers include his diary of his return trip around the Horn of South America. Patrick Griffin was a businessman and involved in many Corydon activities. He was a member of the Pisgah Masonic Lodge and was in charge of the letter writing campaign to soldiers during World War I.
Helen Porter Griffin and Patrick Griffin had seven children, Margaret, William Maurice, Mary Jane, Olive, Annis, Helen, and Daniel Patrick. Margaret, Mary Jane, and Olive never married. William Maurice married Charlotte Rupp. Helen Elizabeth married Mark B. O'Leary from Chicago. Helen Griffin O'Leary was made a member of Daughters of the American Revolution. There is a family tree in the DAR folder.
Series 4: Daniel Patrick Griffin papers
This series includes 4 manuscript boxes of correspondence and school papers from 1897-1975. The material is arranged chronologically. Daniel Patrick attended Purdue University School of Pharmacy beginning in 1903. He became president of the Griffin Company in 1912. His papers include a 1903 map of Purdue, dance club programs and letters concerning the train wreck in 1903 in which thirteen Purdue students were killed. He was a member of the Corydon Presbyterian Church for over 75 years.
Daniel Griffin was a member of the Chemical Warfare Service during World War II, the Redpath Chautauqua, the Masonic Lodge, and the Corydon Music and Drama Club. Daniel Griffin actively participated in the Corydon Bicentennial and Sesquicentennial celebrations.
Series 5: Rupp, Moesser and Bickel family papers
This series includes 1 and one half manuscript boxes of correspondence, business, and legal papers from 1841 to 1925. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder. The Moesser and Bickel families follow the papers of the Rupp family. William A. Porter handled legal business for the John and Henry Rupp. They were related to the Bickel and Moesser families. William Maurice Griffin married Charlotte Rupp. The Bickels were a German family and their correspondence is written in German.
Series 6: Harrison County Historical Material
This series includes Indiana Centennial and Sesquicentennial celebrations, Newsletters of the Indiana Historical Commission, information on Harrison County historical sites, and miscellaneous history of Corydon. There is information about Cedar Hills Cemetery in which many members of the Porter-Griffin family is buried. The series includes the correspondence involving the Porter-Griffin home as a state historical site.
Series 7: Griffin family business papers
Subseries 7.1: Miscellaneous Griffin family business papers
Includes papers from various businesses in which the family had an interest, ApplegateMcGrain, Wright-Griffin-McGrain, Wright- Stockslager-Griffin and Griffin Company. There is a history "50 Years With the Maurice Griffin & Company" written in 1947 by Mary Jane Griffin.
Subseries 7.2: Griffin and McGrain records
This series includes 15 manuscript boxes, 1 clamshell box, 118 volumes, and 1 oversized folder of invoices, receipts, and checks for companies around the United States that did business with the Griffin and McGrain company. The collection also contains personal papers of McGrain.
Series 8: Oversize materials
Includes 1 oversize folder containing a phrenology chart (1839); a hand-drawn farm map from Helen Porter Griffin's farm accoutns (circa 1884-1895); and 4 millinery catalog pages (circa 1870-1890), an 1879 J. H. Lee and Sons order form, and 2 large ledger pages (circa 1889) (OBC0094).
Series 9: Volumes
Comprises 118 account books, ledgers, daybooks and other miscellaneous volumes.
Dates
- 1813-1979
Creator
- Griffin family (Family)
Language of Materials
Materials in English and German.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
William A. Porter came to Corydon in 1827, as superintendent of the Harrison County Seminary. He studied law and was admitted to the bar and elected a judge of the Probate Court. Porter purchased the house in Corydon that had been the headquarters of Governor William Hendricks. The Porters had seven daughters, Sarah Elizabeth, Anne Dunlap, Viola, Mary Jane, Aurelia, Attia, and Helen. Helen Porter married Patrick Griffin in 1871.
Patrick Griffin settled in Corydon after he accompanied his brother Maurice to the Gold Rush in California. He owned Griffin and McGrain, later known as the Griffin Company. Patrick Griffin died in 1917. Helen and Patrick Griffin had seven children, Margaret, William Maurice, Mary Jane, Olive, Annis, Helen, and Daniel Patrick.
William Maurice married Charlotte Rupp and Helen married Mark B. O'Leary of Chicago. After Helen Porter Griffin died the family home passed to Daniel Patrick Griffin. Daniel Patrick Griffin attended Purdue University School of Pharmacy in 1903. He worked as a pharmacist and returned to Corydon in 1912 to become president of Griffin Company. The Porter-Griffin home was sold to the State of Indiana in 1975 for use as a historical site.
Thomas McGrain married Margaret Griffin in 1856 and was a co-owner of Griffin and McGrain. Griffin and McGrain was a store or distributor in Corydon, Harrison County, Indiana from 1865 to 1882. It sold a variety of goods and might have been a general store.
Sources:
Items within the collection.
Ancestry.com. Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941. Accessed October 5, 2006. http:??www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Patrick Griffin settled in Corydon after he accompanied his brother Maurice to the Gold Rush in California. He owned Griffin and McGrain, later known as the Griffin Company. Patrick Griffin died in 1917. Helen and Patrick Griffin had seven children, Margaret, William Maurice, Mary Jane, Olive, Annis, Helen, and Daniel Patrick.
William Maurice married Charlotte Rupp and Helen married Mark B. O'Leary of Chicago. After Helen Porter Griffin died the family home passed to Daniel Patrick Griffin. Daniel Patrick Griffin attended Purdue University School of Pharmacy in 1903. He worked as a pharmacist and returned to Corydon in 1912 to become president of Griffin Company. The Porter-Griffin home was sold to the State of Indiana in 1975 for use as a historical site.
Thomas McGrain married Margaret Griffin in 1856 and was a co-owner of Griffin and McGrain. Griffin and McGrain was a store or distributor in Corydon, Harrison County, Indiana from 1865 to 1882. It sold a variety of goods and might have been a general store.
Sources:
Items within the collection.
Ancestry.com. Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941. Accessed October 5, 2006. http:??www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Extent
15.6 Cubic Feet (46 manuscript boxes, 1 small oversized box, 1 oversize folder, 118 volumes)
Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
Series 1: William A. Porter papers, 1813-1883
Series 2: Porter Family papers, 1845-1940
Series 3: Griffin Family papers, 1845-1973
Series 4: Daniel Patrick Griffin papers, 1897-1975
Series 5: Rupp, Bickel, and Moesser family papers, 1841-1929
Series 6: Harrison County Historical materials, 1893-1979
Series 7: Griffin family business papers, 1831-1947 Subseries 7.1: Miscellaneous business papers, 1865-1947, Subseries 7.2: Griffin and McGrain company records, 1831-1916
Series 8: Oversize materials, 1839-1895
Series 9: Volumes, 1813-1917
Series 1: William A. Porter papers, 1813-1883
Series 2: Porter Family papers, 1845-1940
Series 3: Griffin Family papers, 1845-1973
Series 4: Daniel Patrick Griffin papers, 1897-1975
Series 5: Rupp, Bickel, and Moesser family papers, 1841-1929
Series 6: Harrison County Historical materials, 1893-1979
Series 7: Griffin family business papers, 1831-1947 Subseries 7.1: Miscellaneous business papers, 1865-1947, Subseries 7.2: Griffin and McGrain company records, 1831-1916
Series 8: Oversize materials, 1839-1895
Series 9: Volumes, 1813-1917
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Frederick P. Griffin.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed in 1999 by Marcia Caudell. Collection reprocessed 2006/09 by Ruth Light. EAD finding aid created 2006/09 by Ruth Light. EAD finding aid updated 2015/11/14 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid revised 2020/10/20 by Brittany Kropf; 2022/07/29 by Laura Eliason. Oversize collection reprocessed and EAD finding aid revised 2021/09/14 by Lauren Patton.
- Account books
- Business
- Business enterprises -- Indiana
- Business records
- Business records -- Indiana -- 19th century
- California Gold Rush, 1848-1852
- Clergy
- Clergy -- Indiana
- Correspondence
- Corydon (Ind.)
- Day books
- Dry goods stores
- Family life
- Griffin family
- Harrison County (Ind.)
- Pharmacists
- Porter family
Creator
- Griffin family (Family)
- Porter family (Family)
- Porter, William A. (Person)
- Title
- Porter-Griffin family papers
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
